Electric switch



April 18, 1933. C D' AINSWORTH 1,904,397

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 5l, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /72 #I /70 ca rns Patented Apr. 18, 1933 omTEosTA'rEs PATENT OFFICE CHESTERk D. 0F WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CONDIT ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, 0F SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

A CORPORATION or Massaomrsnr'ra ELECTRIC SWITCH Application led Kay :31,

This invention relates to .heavy duty electric switches .and improved actuating :mechanisms Yfor Athese switches.

The switch embodying this vinvention comrises a plurality of separate switch .units ving their operating mechanism interconnected for .conjoint operation, and 4it is an .object of the invention toprovide a single improved actuating mechanism common .to all ofsaid units for mechanically andkalso electrically .closing ,the switches and also for tripping `the switches electrically.

Itis a further object of the invention to `provide an improved powersoperated actuating mechanism for .the .control of .multiphase .heavy .duty switches.

A yet further .object is generally to 1mprove the construction and operation of electric switches and control mechanism therefor.

Fig. `1 is a iront elevation of a three phase switch yhaving vthe .actuating ,mechanism .of the Ainvention associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the actuating mechanism associated withthe rmiddle `:mit

Fig. 1.

Fig.\3 isa plan .View showing ,thecoil box for the :switch .closing solenoids.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic viewof ,the Yelectrical connections for .the-switch closingsolenoids. V f f y Theelectric switch herein shown is adapted to controla vthree-phase'power circuit and comprises .three similar switch units.` Each unit includes a substantially cylindrical switch frame 10 which iforms.a.,.cover .for .an

-oil receptacle 12 .which is received within `and Qdepends lbelow said switch trame. A cradle 14 is secured, Yas by welding, Vvto kthebottom of said oil receptacleandprovidesa bottom closure therefor. Eachfswitch V4fra-me k10 also Ycomprises .a support for a pairrof stationary yswitchA `members including the insulating bushings 16 and axial conducting "studs 18 which extend through thetop .of saidswitch vframe `and depend into .the oil within the receptacle 12 in Vthe .usual manner. .Said

studs .18 are provided .at .their lower ends with stationary contact members,not shown.

switch frame lOalso is formed with a 1980. Serial N0. 458,872.

forwardly extended mechanism compart- I partment 20 of each unit has vsuitable switch mechanism contained therein by -which a movable switch member, not shown, is 1re- .ciprocated into and out of engagement with its cooperating stationarycontact members to complete and interrupt ythe ycircuit through 1the switch. Said switch mechanism includes a `horizontal shaft 26 which is .extended .through aside Wall of compartment 20 and has fixed thereto .exteriorally ofthe compartment the depending crank rarm 30.

The .several switch units, as shown inFig. 1, are located in adjacent cell compartments A, B Vand -C With their operating Ymechanisms interconnected for conjoint operation. The switches ,are supported in elevated position in the cel-ls .by .means of horizontal .channels 32 which are 'located at the front and back of ,each .unit and which are connected -by meansof stay rbolts 34. Said channels 32 are supported at their ends by pairs of channels 36 placed back to back, which are embedded in the Walls 38 between `adjacent cells. Said .channels 36 lhave welded thereto angularattaching clips 40 which are secured by bolts 42 `to Ethe backs of channels 32, whereby `to .secure said channels xedly in place. Bolts 44 .are .provided to secure the rswitch Vframes 10 removably to the front channel mem.

bers .32.

The switch mechanisms of .the several;

faceplate 46 is provided, .at its upper and,

with .pairs of horizontally-sp aced torwardlyextended arms 50 at the extended endsof which is journalled a section 5,2 of a'horizontal switch operating shaft. Saidsections 52 are arranged in axial alignment and are Aoperatively connected at their adjacent ends by interlocking coupling members 54 which` l are arranged to provide for conj oint rotation of the sections, even though they should be axially displaced. Each section 52 has fixed thereto a dependingP crank arm 56 which is pivotally connected by means of an adjustable link 58 with the crank arm 80, of the associatedswitchsuiiit. Thus, it Ywill be evident that'the rotation of the'operati'ng shaft including the sections 52 of the several switch units will effect a simultaneous movement of the crank arms 30 of the several switch mechanisms to open and close'all the units of the switch conjointly.

' A single actuating mechanis'mis provided horizontally spaced "arms `62.` Said arms 62 have j ournalled therein at their forward ends 'an actuating `shaft 64 `which is disposed beneath and parallel withwhich is adapted to Vbe both manually and electrically operated to openfand close'the switch.v To this end, the face plate 46 of the middle unit. as viewed in Fig; 1, is provided with forwardly extended side portions 60 which are provided with a second pair of y forwardly extended the section 52 of the operating' shaft.v TheY face plate 46 is further provided with a lower horizontal shelf 66 whichy is cast integral therewith and which provides a. support for the switch closing solenoids, hereinafter to be described.v s

Said actuating shaft '64' has fixed thereto an actuating member 68. Said actuating inemberincludes apalir of forwardly extended arms 70 which converge at their exp 'treme yforward ends to provide short closely spaced parallel attaching portions 72 between 'which is received a vertical link 74 which is vpivotally connected at its lower end to said varms by a pin 76. Said linkis pivotally connected at its upper end by a' pin 78 with a' forwardly extended crank arm r80`which is rigidly fixed to the operating shaft 52 and which is angularly relatedk to the crank/arm 56. The operating shaft 52 and thecrank 'arms 80 and 56 constitute in effect an operating bell crank lever. 1 I

Means are provided for actuatingV said actuating member 68electrically'whereby to fefect the closing of the switch. Said means includes ai substantially rectangular iron coil box j82 vclosed at' the top and "OP'l at the y V bottom, which is formed with fourhorizontally aligned vertically disposed cylindrical' compartments'83, 84, 85 and 86, each of which is adapted to receive a separate switch closing solenoid.y Said coil box is secured re-.

movablyby means of cap screws 87 to the lower face of shelf 66 inv such position that theverticalaxes of the several compartments occupy a verticalplane Vwhich is parallel with 'but' is`somewhat' to the rear ofv the vertical plane including said actuating shaft '64s.

Rectangular plates 88 are secured by'means of bolts 90 to the open bottom ofsaid coil box whereby to provide separate closures for each of said solenoid compartments. Each solenoid includes a cylindrical winding 91 c and a central operating plunger; or armature,

92. The operating plunger 92 'of each solenoid extends through a passage 93 in the top wall of its compartment 'and is operatively connected with the actuatingsliaft r64'by means of a pair of similarstudsfor eyebolts,

94 4which are separately screw threaded at their lower ends into the plunger and which are provided at their upper ends with paral` lel flared end portions having eyes through which a pin 96 is extended. The plungers of `the several solenoids are pivotally connected by said pins 96 with-rearwardly extended crank arms 98, which crank arms are l.fixed to the actuating shaft 64 atspaced intervals therealong in position to lie between 'the spacedstuds of the several solenoid plungers. The crank arms 98 connected with the twomiddle solenoids are formed asi an integral partcof thefactuating member 68, the Y outer'crank arms being carried by thefactu-`v Aating shaft t'near the ends thereof. It will be evident that if the switch is open andthe solenoids in the coil box 82 are energized',` the actuating member 68 `will be rotated in a clockwise direction,A as, viewed in Fig. 2,` thus to move the operating bellcrank including thecrank arms '80: and 56 in a clockwise direction, due to the'link 74 connecting the two,

landA the switchV mechanism of the several J switches will be moved into the closed posi- *i tion i of Fig. 2, wherein the plungers 92 of the solenoids will be in engagement with core plugs which upstand above the'bottom'plates mechanism ina switch closed position.,y VTo this end, the right handl crank `arm 98 ofthe actuating ymember 68, as viewed i'nFig. il', is

provided ywith Van integral extension 100 which has a toggle link 102 pivotally conmeans of alpin'110 *betweenv the bifurcations lof the .end-portion l112 of a crank arm 114' "whichg'isloosely mounted on the operating Meansare provided to latch the actuating A '110 nected thereto by a .pin 104 `which passes through a yoke 105 of said toggle link. Said vyoke has threaded thereint'o an adjustable eye bolt 106 having an eye108 at its free end.

Said eye bolt 106 is pivotally connected byil-15V shaftf52 between alixed thrust'jcollar 116 Y end ixedlto a pin 96 'of one arm 98 of said ac' tuating shaft, whereby constantly to urge the counterclockwise rotation ofthe switch optoggle is adapted to be held releasably in the aforesaid'underset position, whereby to hold the switches closed, by means of a latch 120 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 122 between the bifurcations 124 of an upstanding arm 126 which is formed integral with the bottom horizontal shelf 66. To this end,the togglelink comprising arm 114 has formed integral therewith an angularly related depending latch arm 130 which is offset to the right as viewed lin Fig. 1, and terminates in a forwardly curved end portion which in the closed position of the switch is adapted to lie just back of the actuating shaft 64 in thel same vertical plane with said latch 120. Said latch arm is bifurcated at its lower end and has a latch roller 132 which is pivotally mounte/dbetween the bifurcations thereof on a pin 134, which rolleris adapted to be engaged'and held by the vertical latch face 136 of latch 120, thus to lock the toggle releas ably in set position,'in which the switch is closed. p A tripping coil 138 is secured to the front face of said coilv box beneath the forwardly extended' latch 120 and has its plunger 140 "opera-tively connected by a pin 142 with a pair of links 143. Said links are formed with vertically-elongated'slots 144 inwhich a pin 145 carried by the forwardly projecting end of latch 120 is freely movable. The lower end 146 of said slots are adapted to engage pin 145 when said tripping solenoid is energized to raise the plunger 140, whereby to trip the latch and permit the switch to open. The latch can be depressed free from said plunger 140 when the switch isclosed by rcason of said slots 144.

Theswitch also can be opened or tripped manually by raising the forward end of the latch. l Y

vThe switch is also arranged to be closed manually. The closing means for the switch includes a horizontal shaft 148 which is disposed above and is perpendicular to the operating shaft 52 and is journalled in a pair of spaced upstanding bearings 149 andl 150, which bearings are formed integral with the right hand side portion ofthe face plate 46. Said shaft is providedv witha pinion gear 151 having spiral gear teeth which mesh with spiral'gear teeth 152 which are cut in a por tion of the periphery of the hub 154 of crank arm 114. The forward end of shaft 148 is provided with diametrically opposite flat faces 155 which are adapted to be engaged by the hub of a suitable lever, not shown, for rotating the shaft manually. A fixed collar 156 on said shaft provides a limit stop against which the hub of the manual lever is adapted to rest, and the gearA and a 'collar `which are disposed. on opposite sides of the upstanding bearings 149 prevent axial' movement of the shaft due to the thrustof the spiral teeth of said pinion.

It will be evidentv from Fig.` 2 thatwhen the switch is latched in closed position the elevation of the forward end of the latch, either electrically or manually, will permit the toggle 114, 102 to collapse and, under the action of spring 118, will permit the actuating member 68 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Movement of the actuating member 68 in a counterclockwise direction will also effect a counterclockwise rotation of the operating bell crank including arms and 56 which are fixed to the operating shaft 52, thus to open all of the switch unitsr conjointly.

If now it is desired to close the switch manually, the manual o erating lever, not

shown, is placed on the orwardly extended end of shaft 148 and is moved to rotate said sha-ft .in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in F ig. 1 whereupon the arm 114 is rotated in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, thus 'parallel with leads 166 and 170 of the battery 172 or other source of power andare actuated by closing the remote control switch 174, all of the coils acting in unison through the single actuating mechanism above described. This construction of the closing solenoids is more fully described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 4581,- 873, filed May 31, 1930 and need not be fur'- ther described.

The operating shaft'52 of the end switch units are each provided with downwardly and forwardly extended crank arms 176 which are rigidly fixed to the shaft. A rod 178 is pivotally connected with the end of said arm and is extended through a passage 180 in the upper closed end of a cylinder 182. Said rod 178 is provided at its lower end with a disc 184 located within said cylinder, and a helical compression spring 186 is disposed between said disc and t-he top wall of said cylinder. Said cylinder 182 is provided at its lower end with a pair of depending ears 188 which are pivotally secured by a pin 190 to a lug 192 carried by the front face of the operating face plate 46. In the switch closed position of the operating shaft 52 and arm 176 the spring 186 is compressed, whereby to bias` the operating mechanism of Ithe end switch units constantly toward an Vopen position. Y v

Various modifications may be made in the arrangement of the mechanism withoutfldeparting from the scope of the invention,

.1. Certain features herein shown are also del scribed in my copending application Serial No. 458,871, filed'May 8l, 1930. v

I claim: j f v y n l. Electric switch operating mechanism lincluding the combination of a switch operating member, a pivoted actuating member having a rigid link pivotally ccnnectingsaid Aactuating and operating members, a locking ltoggle having one end thereof pivotally connected with lsaid actuating member and having its other end pivotally connected .to a fixed support, a latch4 arm carried by one of said toggle members, a latch for engagving said latch arm whereby to hold said toggle releasably kin an underset position, means to trip said latch electrica fly, and

manual means for operating said actuating member to close the switch including a manually operable shaft, a pinion carried by said shaft, and kcooperating gear teeth carried by one ofsaid toggle members. f

2. Electric switch operating mechanism including the-combination of an operating shaft, switch opening and closing mechanism including an actuating shaft, an actuating member fixedvto said shaft and having` oppositely directed arms, a rigid link operatively connecting one of said arms y,with said operating shaft, a switchclosing mechanism operatively connected with the other of said arms, means to hold said operating mechanism releasably in switchclosed position includinga locking toggle having one end thereof pivotally connected with an arm yof said actuating member and having its other end pivotally supported on said operating shaft, a latch arm carried by one member of said toggle, a latch arranged to engage said latch arm to hold said toggle re,- leasably in an underset position, and means for tripping said latch.

3. Electric switch operating Ymechanism including the combination vof an operating shaft, switch opening and closing mechanism including an actuating shaft, an actuating member fixed to said shaft and having oppositely directed arms, a rigid link .operatively connecting one of said arms with .said

voperating shaft, means to hold Vsaid. operating mechanismreleasably in switch' closed positionincluding a locking toggle having one end thereof pivotally connected with an armof said actuating member end having its other end pivotally supported 'on said operating shaft, a latch arm carried b v one member of said toggle, a latch arranged .to engage said latch arm to hold said toggle releasably in anunderset position, means for tripping said latch,v manual means for manually operable. shaft disposed above and perpendicular to said operating shaft, and

n means v y manually-operable shaft and the toggle memoperatively interconnecting said ber carried by ,said operating shaft, said toggle constituting an actuating toggle for moving said actuating mechanism to yclosed position. e l

` .4. An electric switch having the combination of switch mechanism, operating mechanism therefor including a horizontal operating shaft, -a pair of angularlyrelated arms constituting an operating bell crank fixed to said. shaft, arigid link connecting said switch mechanism with one of said arms, a horizontal actuating shaft, an actuating member fixed tov said shaft and having oppositely directed arms, a linkL pivotallyr connecting one of saidarms with the otherarm of said operating bell; crank, a switch yclosing mechanism operatively connected with said actu.- ating member, means biasing said actuating member toward switchopen position, aftoggle having one end thereof pivotally connect ed with an arm ofpsaid actuating member and having its other end freely supported on said operating shaft, a latch arm carried-by a member of said toggle, a latch arranged to 1 engage said latch arm and hold said toggle releasably in an underset position, and means for electrically tripping said'latch.v

5. An electricswitch having the combinationof switch mechanism, operating mechanism therefor including a horizontal operating shaft having a pair of angularly related fixed arms constituting an operating bell crank, a link connecting one arm of said bell crank with said switch mechanism, switch actuating mechanism for said operating mechanism including a horizontal actuating shaft having an actuating member fixed thereto including oppositely directed arms, a rigid link pivotally connecting an arm of said actuating member with the otherarm of said operating ,bell crank, a switchclosing mechanism having an operative connection with saidac-` tuating shaft, a locking togglev for holding said actuating mechanism in switch closed position, saidrtoggle havingone'end thereof pivotally connected with an arm 'of said actuating member and having its other end freely supported on said operating shaft, means to hold said toggle releasably'in an underset position, and tripping means forsaid holding means. l

6. An electric switch having a crank arm, V

a horizontal operating shaft having a pair. of angularly related arms fixed thereto, arigid link connecting one of said arms Withsaid crank arm, a horizontal actuating shaft pivotally supported beneath and parallel withv said operating shaft, an actuating member carried by said actuating shaft having oppositely directed arms, a link pivotally connecting one of said arms with the other arm of said operating shaft, a locking toggle having one end thereof connected pivotally with an arm of said actuating member and having its other end freely mounted on said operating shaft, one of said toggle members having an angularly-related latch arm, a latch arranged to engage said latch arm and hold said toggle releasably in an underset position, means for electrically tripping said latch, and manual means for closing the switch by the straightening movement of said toggle including a manual operable shaft disposed adjacent said operating shaft, and cooperating means carried by said manually operable shaft and one of said toggle links for e'ecting the straightkening of said toggle by the manual operation of said shaft.

7. An electric switch having the combination of switch mechanism, operating mechanism therefor and switch opening and closing means for said operating mechanism including a pivoted actuating member, a pivoted link constituting a rigid connection between said actuating member and operating mechanism for the conjoint movement of both between switch open and closed positions, a switch closing mechanism having an operative connection with said actuating member, means to bias said actuating mechanism constantly into switch open position, means to hold said mechanism releasably in a switch closing position against its bias including a locking toggle having a pair of toggle links, one of which is pivotally connected to said actuating member and the other of which is freely pivoted on said operating shaft, said latter member having an integral depending latch arm, a latch arran ed to engage said arm and hold said togg e releasably in an underset position, and means for electrically tripping said latch.

8. An electric switch having the combination of switch mechanism, operating mechanism therefor, actuating mechanism for said operating mechanism including a pivoted actuating member having oppositely directed arms, a rigid link pivotally connecting one of said arms with said operating mechanism, a locking toggle arranged to hold said actuating member releasably in switch closed position, said toggle having one arm thereof pivotally connected with said actuating member and having at its other arm a hub which is pivotally connected with a fixed support, said other toggle member including an integral latch arm, a pivoted latch arranged to engage said latch arm and hold said toggle in an underset position, means for electrically tripping said latch, and means for closing the switch manually through said toggle including a manually operable shaft having a pinion gear thereon which is adapted to engage cooperating gear teeth on the hub of said other toggle member.

9. An electric switch havinga switch frame, switch mechanism carried by said frame, an operating face plate having a horizontal operating shaft, a lower horizontal actuating shaft, a pair of angularly related arms fixedl to said operatin shaft, 4means operatively connecting one o said arms with said switch mechanism, an actuating member carried by said actuating shaft having forwardly and rearwardly extended arms, a rigid link pivotally yconnecting said forwardly extended armvwith the other arm of said operating shaft, a switch closing mechanism carried by said face plate having an operative connection with the rearwardly extended arm of said actuating member, means for biasing said actuating member into a switch open position, means to hold said actuating member releasably in a switch closed position against said bias including a locking toggle having one end pivotally connected to an arm of said,

actuating member and having its other and upper end freely supported on said operating shaft,`one of said toggle members havingan integral latch arm, a pivoted latch arranged to engage said latch arm in the closed position of said actuatingmember, in which position of said actuating member said toggle is adapted to occupy an underset position, and means for tripping said latch.

10. An electric switch comprising the combinationV of switch mechanism, switch operating mechanism, and opening and closing mechanism for said operating mechanism including a pivoted' actuating member having oppositely directed arms, a rigidlink pivotally connecting one arm of said actuating member with said o i erating mechanism, means for actuating sai actuating arm,means biasing said member to switch open position, a locking toggle including a pair of links one of which is connected with said actuating member, a latch arranged releasably to hold said toggle in an underset position whereby to hold the switch closed, and means arranged to trip said latch, whereby to open the switch.

1l. An electric switch including a switch frame, switch mechanism carried by said switch frame, an operating face plate having switch operating mechanism including an operating shaft having a forwardly extended arm, an actuating shaft, an actuating member having forwardly and rearwardclosed position including a locking toggle comprising upper and vlower pivotally connected links, said lower links having a pivotal connection with an arm of said actuat- 5 ing member, and said upper link being `ro- Y tatably mounted on said operating' shaft, a latch arm carriedby one of said toggle links, a latch arranged releasably to hold said tog# i; gle in an underset position, whereby to: hold 10 the switch closed, and meansto tripsaid latch. e v

l2. Switch operating mechanism including an operating shaft having a forwardly e2;-y tended arm, an actuating shaft, an actuating member having forwardly and rearwardlyV extended arms fixed to said actuating shaft, a rigid link pivotally connected' at'its one end to the arm of said operating shaft and at its other end to the forwardly-extended arm of said actuating Y memberg means to bias said actuating member? into switchl open position, means to hold said member releasably in switch closed position including a locking toggle comprising upperl and lower pivot-ally connected links, said lower link having a pivotal connection with an arm of said actuating member, and said upper link being rotatably mounted on said operating shaft, a latch arm carried by one ,of said toggle links, a latch releasably arranged to hold said toggle in an underset position, whereby to hold .the switch closed, means to trip said latch, and manually operable means to close the switchl including a rotatable shaft having a driving connection with said upper toggle link, 'whereby to rotate vsaid link about its pivotal support on said operating shaft and close the switch by `said toggle. f s f f l In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. v

CHESTER 1o. AINswoRTH.

@as Y Aso 

